What does At War with the Mystics sound like?

A kaleidoscopic blend of psychedelic pop and rock, bursting with surreal imagery and existential musings. Rooted in alternative rock and space rock. Start with "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power)".

Is At War with the Mystics a good place to start with The Flaming Lips?

Yes, At War with the Mystics is recommended as a starting point for new The Flaming Lips listeners. A kaleidoscopic blend of psychedelic pop and rock, bursting with surreal imagery and existential musings. At War with the Mystics is The Flaming Lips' eleventh studio album, released in 2006 as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. By this point, the band had solidified their reputation for innovative soundscapes and whimsical lyrics, transitioning from underground favorites to mainstream icons. The album continued their exploration of grand themes while embracing a more politically charged tone.

Who is At War with the Mystics for?

At War with the Mystics works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and atmospheric background focus.

How many songs are on At War with the Mystics?

At War with the Mystics has 42 tracks, running approximately 203 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

At War with the Mystics

The Flaming Lips · 2006

203 min · 42 tracks · alternative rock

A kaleidoscopic blend of psychedelic pop and rock, bursting with surreal imagery and existential musings.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) Start here — Opening with an infectious chorus that invites sing-alongs, this track encapsulates the album’s playful yet urgent call for empowerment and connection.
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Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber) — This song weaves together dark imagery with vibrant instrumentation, illustrating the clash between hope and despair in a post-9/11 world.
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The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat) — With its driving beat and uplifting message, this track serves as an anthem of resilience and determination, resonating deeply with listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative sounds and surreal lyrics but has some unevenness in cohesion.

What we noticed

The album features a wide range of instrumentation, including synthesizers, guitars, and orchestral elements that create a rich sonic landscape.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes and dynamic shifts, such as 'Free Radicals' which moves from frenetic energy to quieter moments.
The lyrics often blend surreal imagery with existential themes, creating a narrative that invites listeners to engage deeply with the content.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
atmospheric background focus
thought-provoking lyrical explorations
whimsical sonic adventures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Received widespread acclaim and solidified their artistic reputation post-breakthrough.
Themes: whimsical power struggles· Christmas skeleton imagery· resilience in chaos
Career context: At War with the Mystics is The Flaming Lips' eleventh studio album, released in 2006 as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. By this point, the band had solidified their reputation for innovative soundscapes and whimsical lyrics, transitioning from underground favorites to mainstream icons. The album continued their exploration of grand themes while embracing a more politically charged tone.
Stylistic neighbors: Animal Collective· Tame Impala· MGMT

New to The Flaming Lips? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

1 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) Start here 4:51
2 Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber) 3:41
3 The Sound of Failure / It’s Dark… Is It Always This Dark?? 7:18
4 My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (The Inner Life as Blazing Shield of Defiance and Optimism as Celestial Spear of Action) 4:51
5 Vein of Stars 4:15
6 The Wizard Turns On… the Giant Silver Flashlight and Puts on His Werewolf Moccasins 3:41
7 It Overtakes Me / The Stars Are So Big… I Am So Small… Do I Stand a Chance? 6:50
8 Mr. Ambulance Driver 4:21
9 Haven’t Got a Clue 3:25
10 The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat) 3:42
11 Pompeii am Götterdämmerung 4:21
12 Goin’ On 3:39

Disc 2

1 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) Start here 5:22
2 Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber) 3:39
3 The Sound of Failure / It’s Dark… Is It Always This Dark? 7:18
4 My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (The Inner Life as Blazing Shield of Defiance and Optimism as Celestial Spear of Action) 5:01
5 Vein of Stars 4:58
6 The Wizard Turns On… the Giant Silver Flashlight and Puts on His Werewolf Moccasins 3:45
7 It Overtakes Me / The Stars Are So Big… I Am So Small… Do I Stand a Chance? 6:55
8 Mr. Ambulance Driver 4:22
9 Haven’t Got a Clue 3:23
10 The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat) 3:42
11 Pompeii am Götterdämmerung 4:22
12 Goin’ On 3:44
13 Why Does It End? 4:38
14 You Gotta Hold On 4:52
15 Your Face Can Tell the Future 5:20
16 The Gold in the Mountain of Our Madness 4:47
17 Time Travel?? Yes!! 3:23
18 Bohemian Rhapsody 6:36
19 My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (The Inner Life as Blazing Shield of Defiance and Optimism as Celestial Spear of Action) 4:39
20 Goin’ On 3:43
21 Unmade Bed / No Quarter 6:55
22 The Sound of Failure 4:03
23 Vein of Stars 4:50
24 Vein of Stars (Operatic Spook) 4:15
25 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) (Chicken Fried Hoedown Protest Rally) 4:44
26 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) (In Anatropous Reflex) 4:22
27 Mr. Ambulance Driver 5:01
28 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song 4:07
29 The W.A.N.D. 3:48
30 2006 Classen High Commencement Speech 12:19